By Abubakar Hashim
The AU Peace and Security Council in Addis has distanced itself from the latest move by ECOWAS to militarily intervene into Niger if all diplomatic options eventually fail.
The AU, in a statement, revealed that further negotiations be explored to avoid a huge catastrophe resulting from intervention at this crisis moment in the region.
The reasons at play are these;
Niger borders seven Nigerian States, it is the headquarters of Multinational Joint Task Force M JTF , that fight the Jihadists in the Sahel. Niger is the second largest country in Africa, bigger than Nigeria, but sparsely populated, about 20 million, leading to wide ranging hideouts for terrorists in the desert of Niger.
Additionally, even if ousted President Mohamed Bazoum is reinstated by ECOWAS, who will secure him and his presidential mandate? The army, the entire security and even his presidential guards have all deserted him.
Addressing the causes of the coup is more consequential than military intervention at this crucial moment.
